Dengue fever which is known as a breakbone fever has created havoc in Sri Lanka. Since January 2010,
27142 dengue cases and 195 death have been reported.

Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue
viruses. Dengue fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults.

The government has taken serious measures to control the dengue menace. Sri Lankan Health officials
took speedy measures to import Plasma Expander from Thailand. The Plasma Expander will be given to
patients identified as worst affected dengue cases. The plasma Expander is used to increase or
expand the volume of Plasma in blood which is decreased in dengue infected patients. This Plasma
Expander, Dextran 40 is no miracle cure for dengue but is an effective intravenous fluid that can
help control dengue related deaths.

The government of Sri Lanka is in the process of importing BTI Bacteria from Cuba. Meanwhile locally
produced BTI Bacteria is also available in the market.

However Sri Lanka is taking a cue from Thailand in lowering dengue related deaths & taken
necessary steps to arrest the dengue epidemic. May all these gestures along with the gestures
rendered by the general public prevent this epidemic from the island.

In addition to these measures, Dengue Preventions Campaigns are also held islandwide. Public
Servants, Members of the Security Forces, School Children take part in these campaign to make the
public aware about Dengue breeding places. They also help in cleaning badly kept gardens in both
private & public institutions.

Media Institutions also broadcast programmes to educate the public on this menace. These
institutions are also involved in other campaigns to eradicate this disease.

Sri Lankans are in a view that the prevention is the best possible way to overcome this problem.